For more information about the Sun-Earth system, visit the NASA Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum at:
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov
and
http://sunearth.ssl.berkeley.edu
and the Space Science Education Resource Directory at:
http://teachspacescience.stsci.edu
Abstract:
This set of ten lithographs is an illustrated guide to the major physical elements of the Sun-Earth system. For much of our history, this system has been mostly known for the steady source of light and heat that the Sun provides the Earth and its biosphere. Since the 19th century, we have become aware of the importance of other aspects of this system, many of which lead to measurable technological impacts. Solar flares can cause short-wave communication outages. Coronal mass ejections and other forms of adverse 'space weather' can trigger auroras, electrical power blackouts, communication satellite outages, and even impact the health of astronauts in space. The lithograph set contains the following topics, illustrated in full color by data gathered from NASA, or NASA-supported science missions:
1...The Solar Interior
2...Sunspots
3...The Solar Activity Cycle
4...Solar Flares
5...Coronal Mass Ejections
6...The Wind from the Sun
7...The Magnetosphere
8...Plasma Clouds Around the Earth
9...The Ionosphere
10...The Aurora
On the back of each lithograph is an essay describing each of the ten elements of the Sun-Earth system, as well as a 'Science Nuggets' list of recent NASA mission discoveries relating to each of the elements. We have also provided a short description of the relevant education standards that each lithograph addresses, along with a sample question that can be answered by reading the short essay.
This lithograph set was developed for teachers, students and the general public by the NASA,
Office of Space Science Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum (SECEF). For more information about how NASA is exploring the Sun-Earth Connection through the scientific research conducted by its many satellite missions, please visit the SECEF web sites:
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov
http://sunearth.ssl.berkeley.edu
If you are a teacher looking for education products and classroom enrichment resources, please visit the Space Science Educator Resource Directory at:
http://teachspacescience.stsci.edu
Contributing Missions:
HESSI: High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager
http://hesperia.gsfc.nasa.gov/hessi/
IMAGE: Imager for Magnetopause-to-Auroral Global Exploration.
http://image.gsfc.nasa.gov
TIMED: Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics.
http://www.timed.jhuapl.edu/
Ulysses:
http://ulysses.jpl.nasa.gov
Yohkoh: Lockheed Martin Soft X-ray Telescope
http://www.lmsal.com/YPOP/
Consultants:
Dr. David Alexander (Yohkoh)
Dr. Eric Christian (ACE)
Dr. Carol Crannel (HESSI)
Ms. Leslie Cusick (TIMED)
Dr. Nicola Fox (ISTP)
Dr. Bruce Goldstein (Ulysses)
Dr. Isabel Hawkins (SECEF)
Dr. Robert Hoffman (ISTP)
Ms. Beth Jacobs (ACE)
Dr. Joseph King (IMP-8)
Dr. John Richardson (Voyager)
Dr. Jim Thieman (SECEF)
Dr. Richard Vondrak (SECEF)
Dr. Gil Yanow (Genesis)
Author:
Dr. Sten Odenwald (SECEF). Education and Public Outreach Manager for the IMAGE mission, and the author of 'The 23rd Cycle: Learning to live with a stormy star' (Columbia University Press:2000) http://www.theastronomycafe.net
Education Consultants:
Mrs. Elaine Lewis (SECEF)
Mr. Troy Cline (SECEF)
Design and Layout:
Mr. Rob Kilgore (Boeing)
Coordination:
Ms. Carolyn Ng (SECEF)